Canon & EyeLevel – Cape Griffon

Also know as Cape Vultures these magnificent birds are often mistaken for White-backed Vultures which look very similar. The Cape Vultures have orange/yellow eyes and are larger than White-backed Vultures, who have very dark eyes.

These is a list of all the Vulture species found in South Africa, in order of weight (heaviest to lightest):

Cape Vulture 8.5kg

Rüppell’s Vulture 7.5kg *

Lappet-faced Vulture 6.7kg * #

Bearded Vulture 5.8kg *

White-backed Vulture 5.5kg #

White-headed Vulture 4.7kg * #

Hooded Vulture 2.1kg * #

Egyptian Vulture 1.9kg *

Palm-nut Vulture 1.7kg *

(* uncommon)

(# seen on Thanda Safari)

All Vulture species are now threatened from extinction (classified between critically endangered and vulnerable) mainly due to poisoning, electrocution, and land-use changes.

Technical data: Canon R6 with RF lens f11/800mm | ISO 1600 | 1/2000sec | ev-0.5 | WB 6500K | AV Mode | Crop to 25% of original image

This picture was taken at the Falcon Ridge Bird of Prey Centre in the Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. 

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